
Kevin Shattenkirk held a conference call with the media and said the following:
- On how much he wanted to play for the Rangers, "To me, I trust that the Rangers believe in me. The comfort factor was huge. I know there was some term and money left on the table but when you have an opportunity to fulfill a life long dream like this, it's an opportunity that may only come once in my career. I felt like this was my chance. I'm extremely excited about. A lot of the factors outside of money and term came into play and that is what ultimatley what won the decision for me."
- On playing next to McDonagh and the PP, "Ryan McDonagh was a big part of my decision. He is someone who I think is an elite defenseman and complements my game well. He skates well and that drives my game. I'm looking forward to the possibility of playing with him. The opportunity on the PP is a place where I am confident I can help this team and my goal is to come in here and be a phenomenal defenseman for this team and I think Ryan McDonagh will help me achieve that.
- On the pressure of New York, "I have to manage that myself, there is going to be a lot of pressure but that is something that is exciting to me. You can't replicate that anywhere else in the league but as a local boy I grew up around it and read the newspaper and watched the news and experience it from a fans point so I welcome it. It would be hard for me to deal with as a young player but at 28 years old and dealing with pressure in my career so far, this is going to be a challenge but it's something I am looking forward to. No matter where you guy you are trying to win your team a Stanley Cup and there is no better to place to try and do it than New York."
- On Nick Holden wearing 22, "I have not had the chance to talk to him yet but am hoping we can work out some sort of deal. I may have to sweeten the pot a bit but a couple of people told me he is a good guy so hopefully he won't shake me down too much."
- When did you decide you wanted to be with the Rangers, "it was about two hours ago. For as much as has gone on in the last year of so, until something actually happens, especially like a trade, you really don't know what is real. There was a lot of talk about me coming this summer and even during the year, once the trade deadline hit. I didn't really think to myself that I would be a Ranger until this week came along, there was no possibility of a trade, it was all in my hands. I had to take it day by day this week and talk to all the teams and welcome all of the different contracts and offers but until today and the final offers came, that was when I had to decide if I wanted to do it or not. There were some sacrafices but in my mind those are the things you leave on the table to live out a dream like this. As much as it's a dream I am looking forward to joining a team that is capable of winning the Stanley Cup. That is also a life long dream of mine."
- On Tampa's interest, "Tey showed interest and I thank them for that and the other teams that were in the mix, right now that stuff doesn't matter to me. Everyone treated me like a pro and treated me honestly and fairly and for that I thank everyone who I had the chance to talk to and at this point the Rangers are the team at this point were I wanted to be."
Shattenkirk was on TSN and said the following about signing with the Rangers:
- "Stressful, I don't even know if that word covers it. It was a crazy week and a lot of emotions and it's amazing how many factors go into making a decision. As it came down to the wire you have to start looking at things other than money and term. Ultimately that is what it came down to for me."
- There were other offers, "yea, other teams showed a lot of faith in my as well and I thank them for that. It goes back to, what do you really believe in and what will be your decision and thought process when you decide where to go. New York was a place that I always have wanted to play and if I passed on that then I would have to live with that."
- On the pressure that comes and the pressure from the Caps, "A team like Wash, when that happens, we were touted to automatically win the Stanley Cup and it's not that easy. This year brought a lot of pressure for me and to throw that on top of it was a lot but I feel like I prevailed and made it through pretty well. Coming to NY, that is a whole different ball game."
- "The opportunity to win a Stanley Cup in New York, as a hometown kid, that achievement would far surpass all of the pressure you have to deal with along the way. To me that is worth going through."
Shattenkirk was on Sportsnet and said the following:
- "huge sense of relief right now. It was quite a crazy week. I'm giddy to get things going. The tough part is that we still have about two months until the season starts. This has been a lifelong dream for me and I wish it could just start tomorrow."
- On other teams, "there were a few other teams....."
- Were you really focused on the Rangers, "I was. This is what any hockey player dreams of, to play for the team that you grew up watching and team you love. You don't get this opportunity many times, if ever in your career. I felt that this was my chance to be able to take that and I wouldn't have any questions at the end of my career that I didn't get a chance to play for my favorite team."
- On leaving term and money on the table, "I did. Ultimately when it comes down to it those are the questions you need to ask yourself. What is the most important thing to you. Term and money are big but the opportunity to play with a World Class defenseman like Ryan McDonagh and the opportunity to play at MSG, live in NYC, and obviously play for a team that I think is very close to winning a Stanley Cup. Those are factors that ultimately won out in the end."
- On Ranger heroes, "there is one for sure and his name is Brian Leetch. I think I tried to take a few things out of his game and put them into mine. If I had to name others, Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Mike Richter, Jeff Beukeboom. I watched these guys at Rye Playland when I was a kid and watched them practice. From that moment on I knew that was where I wanted to be."
- What did you think of Nick Kypreos as a kid, "I feel like he was out there doing a lot of bag skates at the end of practice. Leetch and those guys would come on for five minutes and Kypreos was doing all the hard work at the end."
- What number will you wear, "I don't. I might have to have a discussion with Nick Holden and figure out some sort of deal because 22 is what I have my heart set on."
Tags: Kevin Shattenkirk
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